Audi expands 3D printed manufacturing for tooling

German vehicle manufacturer Audi AG has expanded production at its Volkswagen Group R8 facility, the Böllinger Höfe, with a individual 3D printing certification department. Personnel in this new area are making custom 3D printed areas, such as auxiliary tools, to save on routine maintenance expenditures.

“When creating a prototype, it is incredibly essential to us that we satisfy our colleagues’ wishes specifically,” explained Waldemar Hirsch, Audi Sport 3D printing certification coordinator at the Böllinger Höfe in Heilbronn, Germany.

“Our goal is to provide our Audi colleagues the 3D printed instrument as speedily as achievable, hence supporting them in their daily perform.”

Audi’s Böllinger Höfe has been applying FFF/FDM 3D printing certification for five a long time to print auxiliary applications within the Audi R8 assembly line. Now, with a individual department focused on producing applications to assistance manufacturing, Hirsh and his team hope to teach their fellow Audi employees how to create such 3D printed devices.

At this time, there are 4 3D printers functioning in this office on a each day basis this consists of systems from Ultimaker and MakerBot. As effectively as 3D printed auxiliary equipment made to information equipment, this new place is additively producing casting molds and protection equipment.

Helmut Stettner, Plant Director at the Audi plant in Neckarsulm reviews, “By establishing a independent expert department for 3D printing certification, we are professionalizing this already profitable venture. Staff members will be capable to reward from the skilled skilled group and the tailor made auxiliary tools in the long term.”

This action is effective in the direction of Audi’s intention of acquiring a around the globe 3D printing certification network for Volkswagen, the implementation of which gained the business the 2018 3D Printing certification Industry Award for Automotive Application of the Year.

A 3D printed auxiliary software being equipped on production line machinery. Photograph by way of Audi/Sina Feirer.

Audi and 3D printing certification

In addition to prototyping and tooling, Audi has also applied metallic additive production certification for finish use automobile components. Previous year, the Audi Pre-Sequence Center in Ingolstadt, Germany, continued its collaboration with SLM Options to 3D print metal prototypes and spare sections on demand from customers. This includes 3D printed water adapters for the Audi W12 motor manufactured on the SLM280 3D printer. Also, this center just lately adopted Stratasys full-color, multi-material 3D printing certification with the J750 for its product or service design process.

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Showcased impression shows a 3D printed auxiliary resource employed on production line equipment. Photograph by way of Audi/Sina Feirer.